Sonia `bunks` to be with students

New Delhi: After a politically volatile week that saw the exit of her party`s two union ministers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday took time off to "bunk" political work and spend a while with students of Jamia Millia Islamia University here.

"...My young friends, students. I am delighted to be here in this magnificent university...I am also delighted because I don`t often get the opportunity to spend a little while with students and for another reason and that is I can bunk my class," Gandhi said with a smile after laying the foundation stone for a girls` hostel there.

Sporting a light green sari, Gandhi arrived at the venue ten minutes before the scheduled time.

She expressed her happiness over the university`s plan to name a ground in the campus after cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

"The VC has told me that it is going to be named after Mansoor Ali Khan, arguably India`s greatest cricket captain and without doubt one of our most charismatic sportspersons," Gandhi said.

She also had a brief chat with students in the ground immediately after the conclusion of the function. However, she had left by the time the journos could approach her for a bite.

For the last few days, Congress has been trying to dispel the perception of differences between the party and the government and dismissing reports of a rift between Gandhi and the Prime Minister over the exit of Union Ministers.

Gandhi`s speech at the UPA II`s fourth anniversary on May 22 will be keenly watched.